New York City has recorded its first juvenile case of monkeypox, New York City Health Department officials confirmed to the Post on Friday.
It is the second juvenile case reported so far in the state, with city officials saying a member of the child’s household also had the virus.
“There is a juvenile case of MPV (or monkeypox) in New York City,” New York City Health Commissioner Dr. Ashwin Vasan said in a statement to the Post.
“While we understand the concerns of families, we also know that the overall risk of exposure for children in the city remains very low.”
New York City has recorded 2,888 cases of monkeypox as of August 26, with cases appearing to peak in late July.
Earlier in the week, state health commissioner Dr. Mary Bassett said parents shouldn’t fear the start of school in the fall following the first confirmed case in a child.
“We expect to see cases diagnosed in children and linked to household exposure linked to their personal behavior, but I don’t see schools as a place where we are going to have to worry regarding transmission,” he said. she told reporters in Manhattan. Monday press conference.
Although not fatal, monkeypox can cause painful rashes and blisters, as well as flu-like symptoms such as fevers, headaches and chills.
The virus is usually spread through close contact with an infected person or by touching objects they have used, such as clothing or towels, and has spread primarily through gay and bisexual men, who make up regarding 98% of patients.
However, heterosexual women, children and men are just as likely to get sick if directly exposed to monkeypox.
